San Francisco's changing Mission District is the popular subject of Chicano-Latino performance group Culture Clash's Mission Magic Mystery Tour, now extending at the Brava Center Theatre through Feb. 11. Performances were originally set to end Jan. 28.

San Francisco's changing Mission District is the popular subject of Chicano-Latino performance group Culture Clash's Mission Magic Mystery Tour, now extending at the Brava Center Theatre through Feb. 11. Performances were originally set to end Jan. 28.

The Mission, known as one of the most vibrant barrios on the West Coast, is changing with an influx of new economy and new residents - the Clash refer to the gentrification as the "manhattanization" of the old neighborhood. In Mission Magic Mystery Tour, they recall the Mission District of the past, where Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana and the Brown Buffalo once met up, and the District of today, filled with cops and club kids, lesbian bike messengers, out-of-work mariachis and day laborers.

Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza are Culture Clash. Their past shows have included Anthonlogy: A 15 Year Retrospective, Radio Mambo, Bordertown and Nuyorican Stories, which blend political, social and cultural commentary with vaudeville-styled comedy. Culture Clash made its debut in 1984 at the Galeria de la Raza on 24th and Bryant Streets in the Mission.

Latina filmmaker Lourdes Portillo shot the group's video work. Her documentaries include "Las Madres: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo," La Ofrenda: The Days of the Dead," "The Devil Never Sleeps - EI Diablo Nunca Duerme" and a feature length piece about murdered latina pop singer Selena.

Mission Magic Mystery Tour opened Jan. 3. Tickets are $28-$22. Brava! performs at the newly refurbished Brava Theater Center at 2789 24th Street (at the former York Theatre). For reservations and information, call (415) 392-4400. Brava! is on the web at http://www.brava.org. — By Christine Ehren